Topic: Screwed the pooch

[thunderbolt]

First time using my stereo mic (Avantone CK-40) in X-Y last night.  Simple?  Yep, except I didn't orient the mic body properly, and ended up with essentially mid-side using two cardioids.  Wondered why the right mic was -5dB, but like a numbskull chalked it up to weird room and just balanced the gain.

Just in case you ever wondered what it sounds like and looks like, here goes.

This was an attempt to learn the sound of the hall.  Just too bad that it's buggered.  I imagine there's no saving it, unless someone has some creative ideas.  Crap.

[F.O.Bean]

BUMMER

Live and learn, right?

[bryonsos]

Yeah, bummer. I just got my BSCS-L, which is the Busman version of the CK-40. I had to convince myself as to which way what cap is pointed. I used a flashlight to see through the mesh to see the diaphragms.

[Fried Chicken Boy]

Why not try to decode it in your DAW like an M/S recording?  Use the left mic (since it's +5 dB hotter) as your "mid" and pan it to center, copy your right mic to a third track and pan your right mic tracks hard left and right.  Worth the experiment, I would think.

[F.O.Bean]

Yeah, bummer. I just got my BSCS-L, which is the Busman version of the CK-40. I had to convince myself as to which way what cap is pointed. I used a flashlight to see through the mesh to see the diaphragms.

NICE! Thats my next mic purchase Id love to hear some samples

[page]

Why not try to decode it in your DAW like an M/S recording?  Use the left mic (since it's +5 dB hotter) as your "mid" and pan it to center, copy your right mic to a third track and pan your right mic tracks hard left and right.  Worth the experiment, I would think.

Sure, it's doable, you'd end up with a sub-card for the left and weird hyper (forward facing) for the right.

Yeah, bummer. I just got my BSCS-L, which is the Busman version of the CK-40. I had to convince myself as to which way what cap is pointed. I used a flashlight to see through the mesh to see the diaphragms.

A big tip is to sit it up at home to find the fronts of the capsules, (set it up XY, snap fingers, put it near a radio and listen over headphones, etc), then put a small piece of electrical tape to signify the "front". That was my worst problem. After that it's just checking the switches. I ran the BSCS-L for a while, neat mic for a series of situations. I really like my jazz tapes I made with it.

[twatts (pants are so over-rated...)]

I've had plenty of fails...  forgot cable...  forgot clamp...  burned out battery pack before show started...

Experience will solve all your issues...  Tape the crappy shows on off-nights with your new stuff, before you bust it out for the big stuff.  That way you know how it all works..  My worthless advice...

Terry

[page]

Experience will solve all your issues...  Tape the crappy shows on off-nights with your new stuff, before you bust it out for the big stuff.  That way you know how it all works..

qft

[adrianf74]

I've had plenty of fails...  forgot cable...  forgot clamp...  burned out battery pack before show started...

Experience will solve all your issues...  Tape the crappy shows on off-nights with your new stuff, before you bust it out for the big stuff.  That way you know how it all works..  My worthless advice...

+1.  I've generally tried to do this when I've started using new gear to avoid disappointment. 

To add to your fails, back in the day of analog tapes, I *once* forgot an extra tape to record the headliner - I think that was my best ever move.  *facepalm*

[F.O.Bean]

I have forgotten everything from my stand to my old D8. Never forgot the mics tho

I have since learned from my mistakes and everything stays in my bag connected, except for batteries MUCH HARDER to forget something that way. And I ALWAYS do battery runtimes to see how long each piece of gear will last I do that to every new piece of gear I get and at the start of every festie season

[bryonsos]

Yeah, bummer. I just got my BSCS-L, which is the Busman version of the CK-40. I had to convince myself as to which way what cap is pointed. I used a flashlight to see through the mesh to see the diaphragms.

NICE! Thats my next mic purchase Id love to hear some samples

Samples forthcoming, probably in Team Busman. Chris told me he's going to discontinue the BSCS-L, so if you really want one, don't wait too long! IMHO it sounds amazing!!

Since it was the first time out with the mic, I actually ran my other rig too, to make sure I got the show.

[thunderbolt]

Why not try to decode it in your DAW like an M/S recording?  Use the left mic (since it's +5 dB hotter) as your "mid" and pan it to center, copy your right mic to a third track and pan your right mic tracks hard left and right.  Worth the experiment, I would think.

Sure, it's doable, you'd end up with a sub-card for the left and weird hyper (forward facing) for the right.

Yeah, bummer. I just got my BSCS-L, which is the Busman version of the CK-40. I had to convince myself as to which way what cap is pointed. I used a flashlight to see through the mesh to see the diaphragms.

A big tip is to sit it up at home to find the fronts of the capsules, (set it up XY, snap fingers, put it near a radio and listen over headphones, etc), then put a small piece of electrical tape to signify the "front". That was my worst problem. After that it's just checking the switches. I ran the BSCS-L for a while, neat mic for a series of situations. I really like my jazz tapes I made with it.

Put the tape on last night; good advice.  I have only myself to blame, and should have done some dry runs first.  The good thing is that it was professionally recorded by someone else (he used AT4050s in near-coincident XY) and there were no expectations--just me noodling around.  Makes me realize how wonderful it would have sounded if done correctly.  Fortunately, there's a ton of live music at the university so I'll have plenty of chances to get it right.  Thanks for all the advice and consolation, guys.  These things keep us humble.

[SmokinJoe]

When I had an LSD2 I made all those mistakes.  Definitely need to mark the front.  Eventually I sold the mic.  The real issue was I drank too much at the time...

If you mess up like that, the only one that's really savable was when I run blumlein and had it pointing at the bar (to the left).  In this case invert the left channel, then swap left/right.

[noahbickart]

why not just double the good mono "M" track?

[capnhook]

Just a thread bump, to send a caution out there to all the tapers.....there's going to be some great opportunities to record this New Years......check and double-check your gear!